U.S. Gulf: While recent potash business continued to be called $368-$375/st FOB, there was much speculation in the market that Belarusian Potash Co. (BPC) might be successful in sending product to the U.S. If so, sources say NOLA prices could be under pressure and could fall into the $360-$370/st FOB range for January/February.
Earlier, sources had been upbeat about the prospect for potash remaining firm, citing both good domestic movement and the Uralkali mine outage.
As previously reported, Uralkali has recently complained that BPC has negatively impacted pricing in Brazil and may have the same effect on Chinese contracts (GM Dec. 22, p. 14).
Eastern Cornbelt: Potash was unchanged at $405-$415/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, depending on grade and location.
Western Cornbelt: The potash market was firm at $405-$412/st FOB most regional warehouses in the Western Cornbelt, depending on grade and location.
California: Potash remained at $518-$535/st FOB warehouses in California, depending on grade and location, with the low for 60 percent and the upper end for 62 percent granular or soluble. Delivered potash was unchanged at $525-$535/st in the state.
Crystalline potassium nitrate was steady at $950/st FOB for bulk and $1,020/st FOB for bags in the state.
Sulfate of potash (SOP) remained in tight supply at $720-$735/st FOB in California.
Pacific Northwest: The potash market was steady at $465-$480/st FOB or DEL in the Pacific Northwest, depending on grade and location. The potash market FOB Utah mines remained at $420/st FOB for 60 percent standard and $425/st FOB for 60 percent granular.
The SOP Magnesia market was unchanged at $461-$481/st FOB in the region.
Western Canada: The regional potash market was pegged at $470-$480/mt FOB inland warehouses in Western Canada, with the Saskatchewan mine price reported at $445-$450/mt FOB to Canadian customers.